Maintaining a Handpan

When you receive your instrument, what should you do?

Please take your time when opening. Even if the instrument is very well protected, carefully open the box. Handpans are treated before shipping in order to protect the instrument during transport. Wipe your instrument with a microfiber cloth (only for this purpose). We recommend that you always keep the cardboard and protections delivered with your instrument. Give your instrument time to take the temperature of your home.

Daily maintenance what to do?

Like all high-end musical instruments, it must be taken care of. We recommend that you use the protective cover, a tripod and use the products found in the accessories category of the website. (Gloves, cloth and spray…Etc) Wipe your instrument regularly after playing with a microfiber cloth (only for this purpose). Do not hesitate to treat your instrument 3 or 4 times a year. (you can increase this frequency in case of frequent use outdoors). Never put oil inside your instrument, at best it will be useless, at worst it will degrade the sound.

How to apply the oil? Using a microfiber cloth, spread the maintenance product evenly on the outside of the instrument (on the dome and the bottom) in a circular motion. Wipe or wash your hands after application and give the steel time to absorb the liquid (duration varies depending on the percussion, the quantity of oil sprayed and the drying conditions). The instrument must be dry before playing.

Note: 2 or 3 times a year, clean your handpan with a clean, dry cloth soaked in 70° or 90° alcohol. This allows you to remove dirt embedded in the metal before applying the oil and regain maximum sound quality.

Like any musical instrument, it is best to avoid putting them in careless hands and to prohibit their use in humid weather conditions as much as possible. If rust occasionally appears, coconut fat on a lightly abrasive cloth works wonders. In case of more pronounced rust, very fine steel wool can help but at the cost of a risk of color change of the surface.

Precautions: A handpan is created from a steel metal base which has undergone heat treatment to minimize any risk of corrosion. The instrument nevertheless remains subject to all conditions such as: Humidity, salinity, temperature and shock.

1. Humidity: Do not leave your handpan in a damp place. If the instrument is not used for a long period of a week or more, apply maintenance products and store it in its cover.
2. Salinity: Avoid contact with sea water or sea air.
3. Temperature: Avoid direct exposure to the sun as a handpan can reach very high temperatures. The Handpan, like all metals, expands and this will affect the tuning of your instrument. A handpan is prepared to return to its basic tuning when it cools. It is therefore recommended as a precaution to remove handpans from all sources of heat or sunlight.
4. Shock: A handpan is formed and tuned by very precise hammer blows, shaped and has a certain tension in the metal. Which means that any impact with a significant force can cause these stresses to vary, causing the handpan to go out of tune.

What are the guarantees ?

All our instruments are tested before sending. It is up to each person receiving their Handpan to check the tuning and finishes in order to get back to us very quickly in the event of a problem. The literal guarantee is generally one year from the date of shipment of the order, against all manufacturing defects (however each manufacturer applies its own guarantees which will be specified to you). Of course, re-tuning solutions are available to you.

Risk of detuning?

There is little reason for your instrument to go out of tune naturally, however, under the effect of repeated strikes, temperature variations and numerous hazards due to transport, certain notes may suffer from various alterations. The use of drumsticks is really not recommended, this type of instrument is made for playing with the hands.

If necessary, how can you re-tune your Bali Steel Pan?

Re-tuning at the manufacturer in Bali: The re-tuning or repair of your instrument is done directly at the manufacturer, so you must return your handpan to Bali. The cost of re-tuning is free, however return costs plus possible customs taxes are your responsibility. The instrument will be shipped directly to the manufacturer, the address will be sent to you on request. We will take care of notifying the manufacturer of the arrival of your instrument, and we will keep you informed of the progress of the tuning and the return of your HandPan. Warning: Your instrument will be immobilized for a period of approximately 2 months.

If necessary, how can you re-tune your Handpan?

It is recommended, for an effective first retuning, to wait at least 6 months after purchase to give the instrument time to develop its full potential. Re-tuning in France by the manufacturer: You will need to send your handpan directly to the manufacturer, the address will be sent to you after telephone exchange. Return shipping costs are your responsibility. We ask that you use the original packaging to ship your handpan. Remember to insure your package against possible damage or harm due to transport. Your instrument will be immobilized for a maximum period of 4 weeks. ATTENTION: NO INSTRUMENT SHOULD BE SHIPPED WITHOUT THE PRIOR AGREEMENT OF THE MANUFACTURER!

Notes regarding transport: In the event of problems occurring during transport, the reservations mentioned on delivery must be clear and detailed on the carrier's receipt. Reservations must relate to the goods themselves and not to the packaging. You will be asked to take digital photos to attach to any claim file. Notices such as “subject to unpacking” (or any imprecise reservations about the condition of the goods) having no legal value, they do not ensure that a complaint with a carrier is taken into account. . We suggest that you be wary of the advice of delivery people when a dispute arises.